10 Most Infamous Backstage WWE WrestleMania Moments

9. The Attendance Scandal (WrestleMania III)

The Undertaker shawn Michaels
WWE.com

Though this isn't a singular incident, that it's still one of the most talked-about WrestleMania controversies 33 years later means it has to be mentioned here - no matter which side of the debate you stand on.

WWE announced an attendance of 93,173 for WrestleMania III. If they were being truthful, this would have made it the largest recorded crowd for an indoor event in North America - a national record. WrestleMania 32 would be the only other WWE event to ever top it.

The number has always been disputed, however. The most prominent dissenter is Dave Meltzer, who used information from the show's promoter, Zane Bresloff, to deduce that there was probably around 78,000 people in the building. Still a big number, but not the biggest, and the argument rages on in 2020.

It's crazy that we're still talking about this in 2020 and ultimately, it doesn't really matter who's right and who's wrong. Regardless, wrestling promoters around the world are known for their propensity to inflate attendance numbers. WWE does it with the 'Show of Shows' every year so it's totally conceivable that this was the case for WMIII.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.